Migraine is not “just a headache.” It is a complex neurological disease that affects millions of people around the world, significantly reducing their quality of life. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe, throbbing headache, often combined with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and hypersensitivity to light and sound. In this article, we will take a closer look at migraine, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment methods.
Migraine symptoms
Migraine is primarily manifested by a severe headache, which is usually localized on one side, but can also involve the entire head. The pain is pulsating in nature, intensifying with physical exertion. It is often accompanied by other complaints, such as:
- nausea and vomiting
- visual disturbances (aura) – flickering spots, flashes, zigzags, temporary loss of vision
- hypersensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia)
- Neurological disorders – numbness, tingling, speech problems
- fatigue and problems with concentration
Migraine symptoms can vary from person to person and change over time.
Phases of migraine
A migraine attack can last from a few hours to even a few days and usually occurs in several phases:
- The prodromal (heraldic) phase – occurs in about 60% of people with migraine. It can appear a few hours or days before the headache. Symptoms include fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, increased thirst, changes in appetite.
- Aura – occurs in about 20-30% of people with migraine. It usually lasts from 5 to 60 minutes and is characterized by visual, sensory or speech disturbances.
- The pain phase – this is the main stage of migraine, characterized by a strong, throbbing headache.
- Post-ictal phase – can last up to 24 hours. It is characterized by fatigue, weakness, problems with concentration, muscle pain.
Not all people experience all phases of migraine.
Causes of migraine
The exact causes of migraine are not fully understood, but it is believed to be a neurological disease associated with abnormal brain functioning. Migraine triggers include:
- Genetic factors – migraine often runs in families
- Hormonal factors – fluctuations in hormone levels, such as estrogen in women, can trigger migraine.
- Environmental factors – stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, weather changes, strong light, noise, certain foods (e.g., chocolate, blue cheese, alcohol)
- psychological factors – anxiety, depression
Types of migraine
There are several types of migraine:
- Migraine with aura – an attack of headache is accompanied by neurological disorders, most often visual disturbances.
- Migraine without aura – the most common form of migraine, without aura symptoms.
- Chronic migraine – headache occurs for at least 15 days a month for at least 3 months.
- Ocular (retinal) mig raine – a rare form of migraine, characterized by visual disturbances in one eye.
- Hemiplegic mig raine – a rare form of migraine accompanied by weakness or paralysis of one side of the body.
Migraine diagnosis
The diagnosis of migraine is based on:
- medical history – the doctor will ask about symptoms, frequency and severity of headaches, migraine triggers, family history
- Neurological examination – the doctor will assess neurological functions such as vision, hearing, sensation, movements
- Additional examinations – to exclude other diseases, such as head CT scan, MRI
Migraine treatment
The main focus is on symptom relief is aimed at:
- Relieving pain during a seizure
- Reduction in frequency and severity of seizures
- improving the quality of life
Emergency treatment:
- Analgesics – such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid
- Antimigraine drugs – e.g., triptans, ergotamine
- Antiemetics – in case of nausea and vomiting
Preventive treatment:
- Antihypertensive drugs – e.g. beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers
- Antidepressants – such as tricyclic antidepressants
- Antiepileptic drugs – e.g., topiramate, sodium valproate
- Botulinum toxin – botulinum toxin injections can help reduce the frequency of chronic migraine attacks
Non-pharmacological methods:
- relaxation techniques – such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises
- regular physical activity
- Avoiding migraine triggers
- cognitive-behavioral therapy
Living with migraine
Migraine is a chronic disease that can significantly affect daily life. People with migraine often have to limit their activities, give up work and social gatherings. It is important for people with migraine:
- track their symptoms – keeping a migraine diary can help identify migraine triggers and monitor the effectiveness of treatment
- avoid migraine triggers
- followed the doctor’s recommendations
- cared for a healthy lifestyle – regular sleep, healthy diet, physical activity
- benefited from support – family, friends, support groups
Summary
Migraine is a serious neurological disease that can significantly reduce quality of life. It is important not to underestimate the symptoms and to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Modern medicine offers many effective migraine treatments to reduce the frequency and severity of headache attacks and improve quality of life.
Important
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